USER S MANUAL FOR THE
RACT/BACT/LAER CLEARINGHOUSE (RBLC) WEB

CLEAN AIR TECHNOLOGY CENTER

SPONSORED BY:

Measurement Policy Group (MPG)
Sector Policies and Programs Division
Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711

Date: November 2006


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DISCLAIMER

This report has been reviewed by the Sector Polices and Programs Division of the Office
of Air Quality Planning and Standards, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and approved for
publication. Approval does not signify that the contents reflect the views and policies of the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency. Mention of trade names or commercial products is not
intended to constitute endorsement or recommendation for use. Copies of this report are available
from the National Technical Information Service, 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, Virginia
22161, telephone (800) 553-6847, Web Address http://www.ntis.gov.

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PREFACE

This user's manual was prepared for and funded by the RACT/BACT/LAER
Clearinghouse (RBLC)1, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The RBLC has been
established and is maintained by the Clean Air Technology Center (CATC) to assist State and
local air pollution control personnel in making control technology determinations and in sharing
technology information.

The RBLC provides data on prevention and control technology determinations made
primarily by State and local permitting agencies. The Clearinghouse contains over 6,000
determinations that can help the user to identify appropriate technologies to mitigate or treat most
air pollutant emission streams. The RBLC was designed to help permit applicants and reviewers
to make pollution prevention and control technology decisions for stationary air pollution sources
and includes data submitted by 50 states and territories in the U.S. on over 200 different air
pollutants and 1,800 industrial processes.

The Clearinghouse also has a regulation data base that summarizes all emission standards
issued by EPA's Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (OAQPS). This includes New
Source Performance Standards (NSPS), National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air
Pollutants (NESHAP), and Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) standards. The
regulation data base also includes prevention and control technology cost information related to
each rule and references to supporting documentation.

Read the section, "Quick Start Instructions for the RBLC Data Base", in this document to
begin using the RBLC Web.

1 NOTE: RACT, BACT, and LAER are acronyms for different Clean Air Act program requirements combined to
create the name "RACT/BACT/LAER Clearinghouse." RACT, or Reasonably Available Control Technology is
required on existing sources in areas that are not meeting national ambient air quality standards (i.e., non-attainment
areas). BACT, or Best Available Control Technology, is required on major new or modified sources in "clean" areas
(i.e., attainment areas). LAER, or Lowest Achievable Emission Rate, is required on major new or modified sources in
non-attainment areas. However, data in the Clearinghouse are not limited just to sources subject to these requirements.
Noteworthy prevention and control technology decisions are included in the RBLC even if they are not related to
RACT, BACT, or LAER decisions.

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QUICK START INSTRUCTIONS FOR Till RBLC WEB

What is the RBLC?

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Clean Air Technology Center (CATC)
maintains a permit data base called the RACT/BACT/LAER Clearinghouse or the RBLC. The
RBLC permit data base contains information about recent control technology determinations
submitted by State and local agencies. The regulation data base includes information about
Federal regulations governing air pollutant emissions. The RBLC Web allows anyone to search
these data bases without any user registration. These quick start instructions provide basic
information on using the system and searching the data bases.

To access the RBLC Web, go to the CATC home page (at: http://www.epa.gov/ttn/catc/)
and click on the RBLC logo. Options found on the RBLC Homepage include links to data base
search options, documents, and related software.

Using the RBLC Web

The data base contains information on: facilities that apply for construction permits; the
basis for emission limits (RACT, BACT, or LAER) for each facility; pertinent source operating
parameters such as process types, pollutant emission rates, pollution prevention techniques,
add-on control equipment or other technology; permitting agency contacts; and scheduling data.
Details about all of the data elements can be found in Section 2.2 and Appendix A of the RBLC
User's Manual.

The HELP System:

The on-line HELP system provides context-sensitive assistance throughout the system.
Simply click on the button labeled "Help" to access a HELP file that explains the current item. The
help function button looks like this:

Help j

The RBLC User's Manual can supply answers to more complex questions, and can be
accessed on-line or saved to disk. A portable document format (PDF) version of the manual has
the advantage of being searchable by the Adobe Acrobat® software.

Searching the Permit Data Base:

Data Base Searches — Click on "Search Data Base" on the RBLC home page. The Basic Search
page is the default search page. Under the heading, "Other Search Options, Permit Data Base",
you may choose from the following additional search options:

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•	Find Lowest Emission Rate: Find the lowest emission rate for a selected process type and
pollutant.

•	Standard Search: Build a set of search criteria by choosing from facility, process, and
pollutant properties. Where appropriate, pick-lists of allowable values are available.

•	Advanced Search: Choose from pick-lists of data elements and enter desired values to
build a set of search criteria. Criteria can be combined for more selective searches.1

•	RBLC ID Search: Quickly find up to three determinations using the appropriate RBLC
identifier (RBLC ID).

Continue in the RBLC interactive search mode by following the directions on the screen
and making choices by entering text and/or clicking buttons. Details about searching the data base
are in Section 2.3 of the User's Manual.

Navigation buttons are provided near the top of each facility, process and pollutant
data page to assist in moving through the search results, data base and Web site. Use these
buttons rather than the Web browser's navigation buttons to avoid potential errors that can
result from the way that browsers cache information.

Viewing Results On-line:

A search allows the user to access the part of the data base meeting the search criteria
specified. Once the search has located a result set, entries in the set may be viewed on-line or
downloaded as a report file. The Basic Search, Standard Search, and Advanced Search results
tables can be sorted by permit date (default), State/RBLC ID, or facility name by clicking on the
appropriate "Sort by" button at the top of the table. The "Find Lowest Emission Rate" search
results table is sorted by the emission limit (lowest to highest).

Information about each of the determinations in the search results table is organized by
facility, process, and pollutant. Click on a RBLC ID to access facility data (general information
about this permitting action). Click on a process name to view details about the process and access
links to pollutant information. The "Find Lowest Emission Rate" search results table does not
provide direct access to process details, but does provide direct access to pollutant information by
clicking the emission limit. View other types of information by clicking on the navigational

1 In general, a user should know what each data element contains to use this option effectively.
Refer to Section 2.2 and Appendix A of the RBLC User's Manual for more information about
individual data elements.

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buttons near the top of each facility, process and pollutant data page.

Reports:

The RBLC Web provides several pre-defined formats for viewing and downloading search
results. Two of these formats, "Free Form Report (Customizable fields selections)" and
"Export/Import Report", allow the user to customize their report by selecting the data elements to
be included in the report. Both summary and detail formats are available. The list of available
formats is contained in a pick-list at the bottom of the Search Results page. Details about these
reports can be found in Sections 2.4 and 2.5 of the RBLC User's Manual.

Searching the Regulation Data Base:

The organization of the Regulation Data Base is similar to that of the RBLC's permit data
base. Refer to Section 3.2 of the RBLC User's Manual for more information about Regulation
Data Base data elements. Each entry, or rule, in the regulation data base consists of regulation-,
process-, and pollutant-level data. A rule is associated with the type of facility that is the source
of pollutants governed by the regulation.

Choose one of the options under "Other Search Options, Regulation Data Base" to locate
information of interest in the regulation data base. Then, to continue in RBLC interactive search
mode, simply follow the directions on the screen, making choices by entering text and clicking
buttons. The RBLC Web offers the following search options:

•	Scan All: displays all regulations in the data base alphabetically by Regulation
Name/Industry Sector.

•	Standard Search: enables the user to build a set of search criteria by choosing from date,
facility, process, and pollutant properties. Where appropriate, pick-lists of allowable
values are provided.

•	Advanced Search: enables the user to choose from pick-lists of data elements and enter
desired values to build a set of search criteria. Criteria can be combined for more selective
searches. This option is most effective for users with a good understanding of what each
data element contains.

Choose the "Scan All" option to easily view the entire regulation data base. Entries are
displayed in a results table. Choose either the "Standard Search" or "Advanced Search" option to
view only selected regulations. All of the RBLC search options present an overview of search
results in a table that allows the user to examine details about matching facilities, their processes,
and pollutants. The RBLC Web provides several pre-defined formats for viewing and
downloading search results. Two of these formats, "Free Form Report (Customizable fields

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selections)" and "Export/Import Report", allow the user to customize their report by selecting the
data elements to be included in the report. The list of available formats is contained in a pick-list
at the bottom of the Search Results page. Details about these reports can be found in Sections 3.3.3
of the RBLC User's Manual.

On-Line Documentation for the RBLC

The RBLC is documented in this set of Quick Start Instructions, the RBLC Data Entry
Form Instructions, the RBLC Annual Report, and the RBLC User's Manual. Short descriptions of
each are listed on the Web page where they are located. The user's manual should be kept as a
reference for codes, standard units, and detailed instructions for using the system. In addition to
these traditional forms of documentation, the system includes the context-sensitive on-line HELP
function that is available throughout the entire system.

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Section

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of Contents (cont.)

Page

VOLUME I: RBLC BASICS

Disclaimer

11

Preface

111

Quick Start Instructions for the RBLC Web

IV

What Is the RBLC?

•	Using the RBLC Web

The HELP System
Searching the Permit Data Base
Viewing Results On-Line
Reports

Searching the Regulation Data Base

•	On-Line Documentation for the RBLC

Section	Page

S ecti on 1: Introducti on	1-1

1.1 Background	1-1

1.1.1	The Purpose of the RBLC

1.1.2	Regulatory Basis

1.1.3	Information in the RBLC Data Base

1.1.4	Contacting the RBLC

1.1.5	Making Suggestions and Reporting Problems

1-1
1-2
1-3
1-3
1-4

1.2 Overview of the RBLC Web Site

1-4

1.2.1	Web Site Organization

1.2.2	On-Line Help Options

1.2.3	On-Line Documents

1-4
1-6
1-6

Section 2: RBLC Permit Data Base Search and Data Structure

2-1

2.1 Permit Data Base Search Options

2-1

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Table of Contents (cont.)

Section	Page

2.2	Permit Data Base Elements	2-2
2.2.1 RBLC Data Base Options	2-7

2.3	Searching the RBLC	2-8

2.3.1	Planning the Search	2-8

2.3.2	How To Run a Search	2-8

2.3.3	Basic Search	2-8

2.3.4	Find Lowest Emission Rate	2-9

2.3.5	Standard Search	2-11

2.3.6	Advanced Search	2-16

2.3.7	RBLC ID Search	2-19

2.4	Search Results	2-19

2.4.1	Navigating the Search Results	2-21

2.4.2	Viewing Search Results	2-22

2.5	Data Base Reports	2-25

2.5.1	Generating a Report	2-25

2.5.2	Downloading RBLC Information	2-28

Section 3: RBLC Regulation Data Base Searches and Data Structure	3-1

3.1	Data Base Elements and Structure	3-1

3.2	Searching the Regulation Data Base	3-5

3.2.1	Planning the Search	3-5

3.2.2	How To Run a Search	3-5

3.2.3	Regulation Data Base Search Options	3-5

3.2.3.1	Scan All	3-6

3.2.3.2	Standard Search	3-6

3.2.3.3	Advanced Search	3-10

3.3	Search Results	3-13

3.3.1	Navigating the Search Results	3-13

3.3.2	Viewing Search Results	3-14

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Table of Contents (cont.)

Section

3.3.3 Generating Data Base Reports
Volume II: Data Entry
Section 4 - Data Entry Overview

4.1	Access

4.2	On-Line Help Options

4.3	Making an Entry Publicly Viewable

4.4	Navigating Data Entry

4.4	Planning and Preparation

4.5	Data Fields and Formats

Section 5 - RBLC Web Permit Data Entry and Editing Procedures

5.1	Add a New Determination

5.2	Edit In-Process Determination

5.3	Edit Completed Determination

5.4	Paper (Hardcopy) Data Submission

5.5	Standal one Editor

Volume III: Appendices

Appendix A — Data Submittal Form and Instructions

Appendix B — Agency Code Listing

Appendix C — Process Type Code Listing

Appendix D — Abbreviations for Processes? and Units

Abbreviations for Processes and Descriptors
Abbreviations for Emission Limit Units

Appendix E - RBLC Standard Emission Limit Units by Process Type Code	E-l

Appendix F — Examples of RBLC Standard Reports	F-l

Process Index Report
Process Type Summary Report
Comprehensive Report

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Page

3-17

A-l
B-l
C-l
D-l


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Table of Contents (cont.)

Section

Free Form Report (Customizable & Standard)

Export/Import Report

Appendix G — Examples of Federal/State Regulation Standard Reports

Comprehensive Report

Free Form Report (Customizable & Standard)

Appendix H — Pollutant List and Synonyms Index


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LIST OF FIGURES

Section



Page

Figure 1-1

RBLC Web Home Page

1-5

Figure 2-1

RBLC Data Structure and Data Relationships

2-3

Figure 2-2

Basic Search

2-9

Figure 2-3

Find Lowest Emission Rate - Process Type and Pollutant Menu

2-10

Figure 2-4

Find Lowest Emission Rate - Date Entry

2-11

Figure 2-5

Advanced Search

2-17

Figure 2-6

Results Table for a Standard Search

2-20

Figure 2-7

Results Table for Find Lowest Emission Rate Search

2-21

Figure 2-8

Facility Level Detail Page

2-23

Figure 2-9

Process Level Detail Page

2-24

Figure 2-10

Pollutant Level Detail Page

2-25

Figure 2-11

Download Report Format Selection

2-27

Figure 3-1

Regulation Data Base Standard Search

3-7

Figure 3-2

Regulation Data Base Advanced Search

3-11

Figure 3-3

Results Table for Regulation Data Base

3-14

Figure 3-4

Regulation Details Page

3-15

Figure 3-5

Process Details Page

3-16

Figure 3-6

Pollutant Details Page

3-17

Figure 3-7

Report Format Options

3-18

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SECTION 1:

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND

Welcome to the RACT/BACT/LAER Clearinghouse (RBLC) Web. EPA initially
established the RACT/BACT/LAER Clearinghouse to assist State and local air pollution control
personnel in making control technology determinations and in sharing technology information.
Moreover, the RBLC is a resource to industries and consultants when they are preparing permits
and researching control options, and to the public and environmental groups when they are
reviewing and commenting on permitting activities. This document describes how to use the
RBLC Web to access information pertinent to these users.

1.1.1 The Purpose of the RBLC

The basic purposes of the RACT/BACT/LAER Clearinghouse are:

•	To provide information on current prevention and control technology
determinations;

•	To provide data on the specific emission limits imposed on existing, new, or
modified sources across the country; and

•	To present summaries of recent Federal air pollution regulations and offer a forum
for State and local agencies to maintain similar information for their own rules.

The Clearinghouse should serve as a reference or a starting point for State and local
agencies when considering RACT, BACT, or LAER decisions.

The RBLC data base system performs the following three functions:

•	Allows direct computer access to the data in the RACT/BACT/LAER
Clearinghouse,

•	Allows rapid production of RACT/BACT/LAER Clearinghouse reports; and

•	Allows rapid updating of RACT/BACT/LAER determinations.

The most typical use of the information in the data base is to identify and compare available
control technologies, either for the sake of selecting the most appropriate control in a specific
situation or for identifying the range of controls available for a process.

The RBLC Web on-line search functions allow users to build searches specific to their

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needs. These searches can be used to identify the most commonly used control technologies for a
particular pollutant and process, or those being used within a specific period of time or geographic
region. These subsets can be downloaded and used with PC-based data base or spreadsheet
software to do more complex searches. Search options and the mechanics of searches are discussed
thoroughly in Sections 2 and 3.

1.1.2 Regulatory Basis

The Clean Air Act (CAA) of 1970 gave the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
the responsibility and authority to control air pollution in the United States and its territories. One
of the responsibilities given to EPA under Section 108 of the CAA is to publish information on air
pollution control techniques. This information includes data on available technology and methods
for prevention and control of air pollution.

Different provisions of the CAA require the Reasonably Available Control Technology
(RACT), Best Available Control Technology (BACT), Lowest Achievable Emission Rate (LAER),
and New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) as emission control and pollution prevention
measures:

•	RACT requirements apply to existing sources located in nonattainment areas (i.e.,
areas that do not meet National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)). RACT
requirements are typically prescribed by State and local rules and regulations, but
may also be made on a case-by-case basis.

•	New Source Review (NSR) requirements are case-by-case decisions or
determinations made by the State or local agency based on the requirements of the
applicable regulation. NSR BACT requirements apply to major new and modified
sources located in attainment areas (i.e. areas that meet NAAQS), and subject to
Prevention of Significant Air Quality Deterioration (PSD) permitting requirements.

•	NSR LAER requirements apply to major new and modified sources located in
nonattainment areas (i.e. areas that do not meet a NAAQS), and are applied by State
and local agencies before a permit to construct may be issued.

•	NSPS apply to both new and modified sources; they must reflect the degree of
emission reduction achievable through the application of the best system of
continuous emission reduction as determined by the EPA Administrator. An
applicable NSPS acts as the baseline for BACT and LAER decisions.

Although the specific criteria governing RACT, BACT, LAER, or NSPS vary, the general
underlying approach is to require the best abatement technology possible on all major existing, new,
or modified sources. Most State and local programs have accepted complete responsibility for
issuing PSD and nonattainment permits. Thus, it is extremely important that information be

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available to assist control agencies in making the necessary control technology determinations in a
nationally consistent manner. The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 made submittal of LAER to
the RACT/BACT/LAER Clearinghouse Information System mandatory.

1.1.3	Information in the RBLC Data Base

The RACT/BACT/LAER Clearinghouse data base includes RACT, BACT, and LAER
determinations made by various air pollution control agencies. Each data base entry contains
information on the permitted facility at facility, process and pollutant levels. Examples of the data
included for each level are:

•	Facility data: Permitting agency contacts, facility location, industrial classification
(NAICS code), and scheduling data;

•	Process data: Fuel, capacity, and process descriptions; and

•	Pollutants: Basis for the limit (RACT, BACT, or LAER), pollutant emission limits,
pollution prevention techniques, add-on control equipment or other technology, and
control cost data.

1.1.4	Contacting the RBLC

The RBLC is accessible on the World Wide Web, and access requires only a PC, an Internet
connection, and a browser. The RBLC is available from the Clean Air Technology Center (CATC)
home page located at: www.epa.gov/ttn/catc/. No account or password is required to search and
browse the data base.

Authorized State or local air pollution control agency personnel may enter and edit their
RBLC data on-line. An RBLC edit user ID and a password are required for a user to be able to add
information to the data base on-line. Contact the RBLC/CATC to receive an edit authorization
form. An EPA staff person is available to assist authorized users in obtaining RBLC edit authority
as well as security clearance for inputting determinations. Inquiries concerning the RBLC and
completed data input forms and files (additions to the RBLC data base) should be directed to:

RACT/BACT/LAER Clearinghouse (D243-05)

Sector Policies and Programs Division
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711

Clean Air Technology Center (CATC): Voice - (919) 541-0800,

FAX-(919) 541-0242
E-Mail: catcmail@epa.gov

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For Web-related issues, the RBLC Webmaster can be contacted through email:
Steigerwald.Joe@epa.gov.

1.1.5 Making Suggestions and Reporting Problems

Comments on the RBLC Web are always welcome. Improvements to the Web are a
continuing goal of the CATC. Please use the contacts listed in Section 1.1.4 to make suggestions
or report problems. You also may use the "Feedback" link in the RBLC sidebar menu or the
"Contact Us" link at the bottom of each RBLC Web page to contact the RBLC.

1.2 OVERVIEW OF THE RBLC WEB SITE

1.2.1 Web Site Organization

The RBLC home page (see Figure 1-1) provides access to the RBLC data bases and links to
related sites. Connect to the RBLC home page from the CATC home page:
http://www.epa.gov/ttn/catc/. Options that are available from the RBLC home page are:

•	Basic Information— Presents an overview of the RBLC and brief descriptions of
how to use the RBLC data base.

•	Search Data Base— Links to the data base search menu. Browse or search the
entire RBLC data base of completed and in-process determinations, and regulations
from this page.

•	Data Entry — Links to the RBLC data entry page where authorized users can log in
to add or update control technology determinations for their State or local agency.

•	Products — Lists RBLC-related software, including the RBLC Web Standalone
Editor, and the editor's user's manual. Includes downloadable files available on the
RBLC web site. These files include published documents like RBLC annual reports,
and this RBLC User's Manual. Also available for downloading are tables,
instructions, and other technical information related to using the RBLC.

•	State and Local Agency Links — Links to State and Local Air Pollution Control
Agencies, including links for local agencies, links to permitting groups in State and
local agencies, and contact names and phone numbers for the agencies and EPA
regions. We realize that these links are constantly changing. Please forward your
updated links to the RBLC Webmaster.

•	Related Links— Lists links to on-line NSR, industry, State, and other related
technology reference sources.

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Technical Resources — Links to software tools that can be used to estimate
emissions, evaluate alternative control and prevention technologies, or identify less
polluting materials.

Recent Additions — Highlights items recently added or updated on the RBLC Web.

Contact Us — EPA welcomes your comments, especially comments on how the
Web site can be improved. We strive to respond to every comment with an answer
or an appropriate referral as quickly as possible. Most comments will be responded
to within 10 business days.

'a EPA - TTN RACT/BACT/LAER Clearinghouse (RBLC) - Microsoft Internet Explorer



File Edit View Favorites lools Help

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Basic Information
Search Data Base

State & Local
Agency Links

Technical Resources

Recent Additions

Technology Transfer Network
Clean Air Technology Center
RACT/BACT/LAER Clearinghouse

Recent Additions | Contact Us | Print Version Search:	ED

EPA Home > Air & Radiation > TThWeb - Technology Transfer Network > Clean Air Technology Center > RACTBACTA.AER Clearinghouse

RACT/BACT/LAER Clearinghouse (RBLC)

The RBLC data base contains case-specific information on the "Best Available" air pollution technologies that have been required to reduce
the emission of air pollutants from stationary sources (e.g., power plants, steel mills, chemical plants, etc.). This information has been
provided by State and local permitting agencies. The Clearinghouse also contains a regulation data base that summarizes EPA emission
limits required in New Source Performance Standards (NSPS), National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP), and
Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) standards.

New and Emerging Environmental Technology lc*'T Disclaimer)

NEET is now open to technology users to search for new technologies and to
technology providers to update or list their technologies. [Exit EPA disclaimer |

(More info....)

RBLC Products include User's Manuals, Annual Reports, Data Input Form and the
RBLC Standalone Editor (Software for off-line data entry).

RBLC Related Links include links to other Web Sites that provide technical
information or guidance in making RACT, BACT and/or LAER decisions. These
include sites maintained by federal, state and local agencies, the United Nations,
industry trade associations and others.

RBLC Technical Resources include software tools and expert systems that may be
used to estimate emissions, and/or emission control and prevention alternatives.

Air & Radiation IOAQPSI File Utilities

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<£ Internet

Figure 1-1: RBLC Web Home Page
1.2.2 On-Line Help Options

The RBLC Web includes a context-sensitive on-line HELP function that is available
throughout the entire system. The help function button looks like this:

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t-telp

On the RBLC Search page, click on the "help" link for an on-line version of this user's
manual, including step-by-step instructions on using the system's permit and regulation search
options, and data element definitions and reporting formats.

1.2.3 On-Line Documents

Reference documents available for the RBLC are the User's Manual (this document), the
Quick Start Instructions (included with the User's Manual, Volume I), the RBLC Data Entry Form
Instructions, and the RBLC Annual Report. These documents can be accessed on line or saved to
disk as a portable document format (PDF) file. A PDF version of any of these documents has the
advantage of being searchable by the Adobe Acrobat® software. Short descriptions of each are
listed on the RBLC Documents Web page where they are located. The user's manual is divided into
multiple volumes:

•	Volume 1: RBLC Basics — Provides introductory material for the RBLC data base,
Quick Start Instructions for the RBLC Web, detailed descriptions of the permit and
regulatory data bases, and guidance on using the search system with both data bases.

•	Volume 2: Data Entry — Provides detailed descriptions of data entry procedures.

•	Volume 3: Appendices — Contains reference tables with the values that can be used
for processes, controls, and emission units; abbreviations for pollutants; codes for
State and local air pollution control agencies and industrial processes; the data
submittal form with instructions, and example RBLC standard reports.

The user's manual should be kept as a reference for codes, standard units, and detailed
instructions for using the system. The RBLC User's Manual will be updated annually.

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SECTION 2:

RBLC PERMIT DATA BASE SEARCH AND DATA STRUCTURE

The RBLC permit data base contains information about control technology determinations
submitted by State and local agencies. Click on "Search Data Base" from the RBLC home page to
search the RBLC data bases. From the data base search page, users may view on-line help for the
search options, perform a search on either the permit or the regulation data base, or link to
additional resources. This section outlines the permit data base options, provides a detailed listing
and description of the data elements in the permit data base, and shows how to use the five permit
data base search options. The Federal/State Regulations data base is discussed in Section 3 of this
Volume.

The RBLC is in the process of changing its terminology. Currently the terms "Search" and
"Query" are both in use on the RBLC Web site. As the Web site is improved over time, the term
"Search" will replace "Query." In the interim, users are advised that these terms mean the same
thing and to ignore minor discrepancies in the use of these terms in this manual and on the RBLC
Web site.

2.1 PERMIT DATA BASE SEARCH OPTIONS

Choose the Basic Search (default) option or one of the options under "Other Search
Options: Permit Data Base" to locate information in the permit data base. Then, follow the
directions on the screen to define a search. The RBLC Web offers the following search options:

•	Basic Search: allows users to build a set of search criteria by specifying basic data
elements.

•	Find Lowest Emission Rate: allows users to find the lowest emission rate for a
selected process type and pollutant.

•	Standard Search: allows users to build a set of search criteria by choosing from
facility, process, and pollutant properties. This search has more options than the
basic search. Where appropriate, pick-lists of allowable values are provided.

•	Advanced Search: allows users to choose from pick-lists of data elements and
enter desired values to build a set of search criteria. Criteria can be combined for
more selective searches. In general, users should know what each data element
contains to use this option effectively.

•	RBLC ID Search: quickly finds up to three determinations identified by their
RBLC identifier (RBLC ID).

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All of the RBLC search options present an overview of the search results in a table with
links to pages that provide details about facilities, processes, and pollutants. Each option also
supports saving results in any of the RBLC standard output formats.

Navigation buttons are provided near the top of each facility, process and pollutant
data page to assist in moving through the search results, data base and Web site. Use these
buttons rather than the Web browser's navigation buttons to avoid potential errors that can
result from the way that browsers cache information.

The RBLC navigation buttons can be used to return to the search page and re-specify search
criteria for another search, or use the link at the bottom of the results page to return to the main
RBLC page in order to choose another search option. If a search is not successful, return to the
search page and re-specify the search criteria. Check to make sure that a misspelled word or an
invalid value for a search element is not the problem.

2.2 PERMIT DATA BASE ELEMENTS

The RBLC data base contains information about a variety of data elements. This
information is separated into three main categories: facility data, process data, and pollutant data.
The data are organized so that each facility determination may have multiple processes and each
process may emit multiple pollutants. Figure 2-1 shows the RBLC data structure and data
relationships. Each facility has at least one process and at least one pollutant. The information that
EPA maintains in the data base on each of the three levels (facility, process, and pollutant) is listed
below. Data elements that can be used in a search are marked with an asterisk (*).

Facility Information:

•	RBLC ID*: The unique identification number assigned to each RBLC
determination by EPA staff. The number consists of the state abbreviation
and a four digit number, i.e. AK-0001 is the first determination entered from
Alaska. A suffix may exist for old determinations for clarification.

•	Corporate/Company Name*: In some cases a parent company will own
many facilities. The parent company's name has been entered in this field.

If the company that owns the facility has the same name as the facility, the
name may be entered in both the company and facility name fields.

•	Facility Name*: See the note for Company/Corporate Name. The facility
name is entered here.

•	Facility Description: Additional information about the facility.

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Facility Location Information: The location of the facility, including:

-	County;

-	State* (assigned by the system);

-	Zip Code;

-	EPA Region* (assigned by the system); and

-	Affected Class I /U.S. Border Areas* (e.g., National Parks, Wilderness
Areas, etc.) located within 250 km of the facility.

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Facility contact information: Fields which provide contact information
for the person knowledgeable about the process at the facility being
permitted. Fields are name, telephone number, and e-mail address.

Permit number*: An identification number assigned to the permit by the
permit issuing agency.

Facility Registry System Number: A unique identification number for
the plant, used with the FRS integrated searches in Envirofacts, a single
point of access to select U.S. EPA environmental data. FRNs can be found
at: http ://oaspub. epa.gov/enviro/search$. startup.

SIC Code*: The Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code for facilities used
throughout the Office of Air and Radiation (OAR) at EPA. A list of valid SIC codes
is available as a drop down list in the search and data entry portions of the RBLC
web site. A link to a downloadable list present on the Clearinghouse for Inventories
& Emission Factors (CHIEF) web site is provided in the RBLC Related Links.

NAICS Code: The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code
for facilities used throughout the Office of Air and Radiation (OAR) at EPA. Links
to downloadable files listing NAICS codes and to the U.S. Census Bureau Web site
are provided in the RBLC Related Links.

Permitting Agency information*: Information on the issuing agency,
and the primary contact for the agency. Agency names and agency codes are
listed in Appendix B of this User's Manual and in the RBLC Web system.

Agency information: agency code, name, and phone; and agency contact
name, phone number, and email; are included with each facility entry. The
contact information is provided for RBLC users with questions regarding the
determination.

Permit Type (New/Modified Facility): A new facility will be marked as
a "new/greenfield facility"; a modification to an existing facility will be
marked as "Add new process to existing facility", "Modify existing process
at existing facility", or both.

Scheduling information: Permitting scheduling dates stored in the
system are the following:

Application accepted date; and
Permit date *;

The RBLC data base includes a character field for each of the above dates
that indicates whether the date is estimated or an actual date.

Other permitting Information: This field allows the user to include

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explanatory information about the determination, which he or she enters into
the RBLC data base.

•	Last update*: This field, assigned by the system, allows users to see when
the last changes were made to each determination.

•	Entry date*: This field, assigned by the system, indicates the date that the
determination was first entered into the RBLC data base.

•	Facilitywide emissions*: The total emissions increase or decrease of CO,
NOx, PM, SOx, and VOC from the entire facility resulting from this
permitting action may be available here.

Process Information:

•	Process Name*: A descriptive name for the listed process (examples in
Appendix A).

•	Process type code*: A numeric code assigned to each process used to
categorize determinations. Codes and their descriptors can be found in
Appendix C and in drop down lists in the search and data entry portions of
the RBLC web site.

•	Throughput/Capacity and units: For each process listed in a
determination, the RBLC data base can contain information about the
throughput capacity of the process unit; e.g., boiler size is often specified
using a throughput capacity measured in MMBTU per hour. In some cases,
throughput may not be entered because it may be considered confidential
business information. Unit abbreviations can be found in Appendix D.

•	Primary fuel: The primary fuel used by this process.

•	Process notes: Explanatory information about the process is entered here.

Pollutant Information:

•	Pollutant name and CAS number*: The name and Chemical Abstract Service
(CAS) number of the pollutant being controlled. These can be found in Appendix
H.

•	Control method*: The method was used to achieve the emission limits.
The choices that may be entered are:

P — Pollution prevention techniques, e.g., any required process modification,
change in raw material, or management practice designed to decrease or

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prevent pollutant emissions;

A — Add-on control equipment;

B — Both pollution prevention and add-on equipment; and
N — No feasible controls.

Control method description*: A description of the specific pollution
prevention and/or add-on control equipment used to meet the emission limits
of the permit. This field is unnecessary if "No feasible controls" is
entered as the control method code.

Did factors, other than air pollution technology considerations,
influence the BACT (technology) decision?: Answered as either yes or
no.

Estimated Percent efficiency (%)*: The design efficiency expected from
a particular type of control equipment or method. This figure is expressed as
a percentage. Percent efficiency can be used in some permits as an
enforceable limit. In these cases, the percent efficiency can be entered in
lieu of the pollutant's emission limit.

Compliance verification: Answered as either yes or unknown.

Emission Limit 1, Units, And Other Conditions: The primary emission
limit listed in the permit, as well as any conditions that apply to the limit. See
Appendix D for a list of unit abbreviations.

Emission Limit 2, Units, and Other Conditions: If provided on the
permit, these numbers represent any alternative or additional emission limits
which the facility may have, as well as any conditions that apply to the limit.
See Appendix D for a list of unit abbreviations.

RBLC STANDARDIZED EMISSION LIMIT*, UNITS, AND OTHER CONDITIONS:
This limit allows comparison with other similar determinations in the data
base. If standard units are provided for the process type and pollutant for
which the user is searching (see Appendix E), users can compare the entries
in this field to determine the most stringent limits.

Pollutant Notes: This field is available for explanatory information about
the pollutant limit.

Case-by-case basis*: The statutory basis for the case-by-case pollutant
limit. The choices which may be entered into the RBLC data base (only one
may be chosen) are:

Reasonably Available Control Technology (RACT);

Best Available Control Technology (BACT-PSD);

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Lowest Achievable Emission Rate (LAER);
Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT);
Other — Other case-by-case;

Not Applicable (N/A);

Best Available Retrofit Technology (BART); and
Best Available Technology (BAT) (Non-U. S. only).

•	Other Applicable Requirements: This field lists additional requirements
that may apply to emissions from a process:

New Source Performance Standards (NSPS);

National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants

(NESHAP);

Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT);

Generally Achievable Control Technology (GACT)

State Implementation Plan (SIP);

Operating Permit;

Other; and

N/A.

•	Cost data: Information contained in these fields include:

Cost verified by the permitting agency? (yes or no);

Year of the dollar used in cost calculations;

Cost effectiveness in dollars per ton; and

Incremental cost effectiveness in dollars per ton.

•	Pollutant/Compliance Notes: Additional notes about pollutant limits.
2.2.1 RBLC Data Base Options

The RBLC Web permit data base classifies permit data into three categories. These
categories are:

*	Draft Determinations — These permit entries represent the most recent additions to
the RBLC, but have not been verified as correct and complete by the RBLC staff.
They may include permits that have not been issued (still in the review stages),
and/or permit entries that are incomplete (i.e., key information is missing).

*	Final Determinations (permitted since January 1, 1996) — These permit entries
have been verified as correct and complete by the RBLC staff. They represent the
most recent information in the RBLC .

*	Final Determinations (permitted before January 1, 1996) — These older permit
entries provide historical information, but may not contain values in all key data
fields, particularly those fields recently added to the data base.

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The RBLC offers a separate data base for information on Federal regulations. Details about
this data base are described in Section 3 of this Volume.

2.3 SEARCHING Till RBLC

2.3.1	Planning the Search

Before starting any search, consider the information to be gathered in the search. Review
the description of each option in Section 2.1 to identify these options' specific uses and strengths.
The standard and advanced searches allow the user to build a more sophisticated search, taking into
account more search criteria than the basic search option. However, these search options can return
an overwhelming number of determinations if the search is not specific. We recommend that users
familiarize themselves with the search criteria that are available so that they can search efficiently.

2.3.2	How To Run a Search

A search allows the user to create a subset of the data base using available search criteria.
A search may include any combination of data elements available. The user can select one, several,
or all data elements as search criteria. After selecting one of the five search options on the RBLC
Web, specify the search criteria in the input form and then start the search by clicking the "Run
search now" button. Once the search has located matching determinations, the results can be
viewed on-line or downloaded as a report file. The results can be sorted by permit date, facility
name or state (which also sorts by the RBLC ID). Additional instructions and search information
are available on the search Web pages and through the help system.

2.3.3	Basic Search

The Basic Search option (shown in Figure 2-2) provides a simple mechanism to run a
search based on some of the most basic data fields in the RBLC. The data elements available in the
basic search are as follows:

•	Permit Date (the user sets a range of dates)

•	Process Type (choose from pick-list)

•	Process Name

•	Pollutant Name (choose from pick-list)

•	Corporate/Company or Facility Name

•	Facility Location (choose state from pick-list)

After entering the search criteria, click the "Run search now" button to execute the search.
The results of the search are displayed in a table. Sections 2.4 and 2.5, Search Results and Data
Base Reports, describe how to view and download search results.

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Figure 2-2: Basic Search

2.3.4 Find Lowest Emission Rate

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This option finds the lowest emission rate for a selected process and pollutant. This search
is currently limited to combustion sources but eventually will be available for any processes with
an emission limit expressed in standardized emission units. To use the lowest emission rate search,
first select the process type and pollutant from the dynamic menu by moving your cursor through
the expanding menu (Figure 2-3). Click on the pollutant of interest in the final menu. Next, enter
the date range to find the lowest emission rate (Figure 2-4). Click the "Run report now" button to
run the report. The "Go Back" button will return the user to the process type and pollutant
selection menu. Search results are displayed in a table, which is discussed in Section 2.4.

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Figure 2-3: Find Lowest Emission Rate - Process Type and Pollutant Menu

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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Technology Transfer Network
Clean Air Technology Center
RACT/BACT/LAER Clearinghouse

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I EPA Home > Air & Radiation > TTNWeb - Technology Transfer Network > Clean Air Technology Center > RACTjBACTjLAER
I Clearinghouse > RBLC Find Lowest Emission Rate > Enter Date Range

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State & Local
Agency Links

Technical Resources

Enter date range to find Lowest Emission Rate. (Default range is 10 years) Help I

Pollutant Name:

Process
Category:

Process Type:

Process Name:

From:

No of Records:

Carbon Monoxide

Utility- and Large Industrial-Size Boilers/Furnaces (more than 250
million Btu/H)

11.110

Coal (includes bituminous, subbituminous, anthracite, and lignite)

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Figure 2-4: Find Lowest Emission Rate - Date Entry

2.3.5 Standard Search

The standard search option provides more flexibility in examining the permit data base. It
allows searches on almost all searchable data fields and it supports searches based on multiple data
fields. When a data value must be one of a particular set of choices, these choices are presented in
a pick-list.

Multiple search criteria may be used. Try to select enough criteria to match a manageable
number of records, without being so restrictive that the search finds no matches or so vague that the
search is complex and it takes too long to run. Usually, two to three criteria work well. Be sure not
to specify mutually exclusive criteria, such as selecting North Carolina as the facility location, but
a permitting agency in Texas.

Search criteria are used to identify matching data base records. In most cases, the data
specified will need to be exact matches. Some records (i.e., date of determination entry, facility
identifier, and control efficiency) allow the use of comparison operators to define a range of
potential values. For numbers, the allowable operators are equals, greater than, or less than.
Operators for alphanumeric fields allow you to match any part of the data, match the beginning
characters only, or specify an exact match of every character.

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A total of seven data elements can be searched and include:

1)

RBLC Date Selection

2)

Facility or Industry Identifiers

3)

Facility Location (State or EPA Region)

4)

Permit Information

5)

Process Information

6)

Pollutant Information

7)

Emissions Abatement Information

All of these seven data elements that can be searched using the RBLC standard search are described
below, along with instructions on their use.

RBLC Date Selection

•	Choose one or more RBLC data base categories. (See Section 2.2.1 for more
information)

•	Draft Determinations

•	Final Determinations (permitted since January 1, 1994)

•	Final Determinations (permitted before January 1, 1994)

•	Choose a display option:

•	Show All

•	Show 150 records per page

•	Choose an additional date element from the date range pick-list:

•	Date added to the RBLC

•	Date last modified

•	Date permit issued

Enter a "from" date and/or a "to" date. The search will find dates the same as or more recent
than the "from" date and the same as or earlier than the "to" date.

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EXAMPLE: SEARCH BY DATE

Problem. To get a summary of determinations entered and modified by a specific agency during
the last three months of the year 1999.

Solution. Choose Date Last Modified, and in the date fields, enter 09/01/99 and 12/31/99. In the
Permit Information section of the search, select the agency's name from the pick-list (e.g., AZ002
- Maricopa Co. Air Pollution Control, AZ), then, run the search.

The RBLC Web is flexible about the format of dates. Dates may be entered in a numeric
mm/dd/yyyy or m/dd/yy format or spelled out, i.e, 'Jan 1, 1998'. If the system cannot recognize the
date as it has been entered, it will prompt the user to go back and enter another date value.

Facility or Industry Identifiers

These selections allow the user to search based on a facility or company name, an RBLC ID,
SIC code, or NAICS code. Select a facility identifier from the pick-list (see the items listed below)
and enter the appropriate value to match.

•	Corporate/Company name

•	Facility name

•	RBLC Identifier (RBLC ID)

Any of these facility identifiers can be entered as either complete or partial names. Enter
a complete RBLC ID to locate one specific determination. When the search criterion is the RBLC
ID, the search will run faster if the exact match operator is used. Choose one of the following
comparison operators:

•	Containing performs a word search and matches all facilities that contain the
specified value anywhere in the facility name data element.

•	Beginning with finds only those facilities where the facility name data element
begins with the value specified.

•	Exact match is the most restrictive operator and requires a character-by-character
match between the value specified and the facility name data element.

Comparison operators are particularly useful when searching text fields such as the facility
name. For example, when using the Beginning With operator and specifying THE PA as the value
to match, the result set will include "THE PAPER CLIP FACTORY," "THE PA ELECTRIC
PROJECT," and "THE PASTRY SHOP," but not "PASTEURIZATION INC." Using the Exact
Match operator would probably give you an empty result set. Specifying PA as the value to match
with the Containing operator would find all of these facilities, plus names such as "PRINCIPAL
REPAIRS" and "CONSOLIDATED PAVERS."

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For a more general industry-based search, choose from either the pick-list of SIC or NAICS
codes to retrieve a broad set of facilities in a particular industry. Many older permits were added to
the data base without a SIC code, so searches may not find all matching records.

Facility Location

The data base may be searched by EPA Region; State or U.S. territory; or Class One/U.S.
Border areas in combination with the facility's distance to Class One/U.S. Border areas (up to 20
areas may be selected at one time). The latter combination will find facilities that are near any of
the National Parks and other protected areas that have been selected. Selection options are:

•	Select the EPA Region in which facilities are located; or

•	Enter a state abbreviation (this option will supersede an EPA Region selection); or

•	Select Class One affected boundaries.

Permit Information

The permit information option allows a search based on the permitting agency, or a permit
number. Search options are:

•	Choose a State or local permitting agency from the list provided to obtain a listing
of all determinations entered by a specific agency. Enter the first letter of the state
of interest to scroll to the appropriate agency codes. Appendix B lists all agency
codes used in the RBLC.

•	Enter a permit number to locate one specific determination. Every permitting
agency uses its own format for permit numbers. It can be difficult to match a permit
number exactly. Try using a more general search criterion, and make a note of the
RBLC ID so the permit can be quickly located in the future.

Process Information

The data base can be searched by process information by entering a word or phrase that
describes a particular process and by selecting from the pick-list of process type codes/names.
Process type codes/names are the primary method of classifying source categories in the permit
data base, and a search is most likely to be successful if the process code is specified. Process
names can be used to narrowly define a broad process category. Detailed process information may
not be available for NSR early notification entries.

•	Enter a partial or complete process name. This search criterion automatically uses
the containing operator and works especially well when combined with one of the
other process data elements. Appendix D lists abbreviations for common process
names used in the RBLC.

•	Choose from the list of process type codes/names. Enter a number between 1 and
9 to scroll to the process codes starting with that digit. Appendix C lists all process
codes used in the RBLC.

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Pollutant Information

Pollutant information includes the pollutant name or its Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS)
number. When conducting a search based on a pollutant, it is strongly recommend that some
facility or process-level criteria be included in the search to reduce the size of the search results.
Search options are:

•	Specify a pollutant name. Choose from one of the criteria pollutants in the pick-list,
or choose 'Specify other' and type the pollutant name. Appendix H of this User's
Manual lists the names, Chemical Abstract Service Numbers, and alternate names
of pollutants included in the Clearinghouse.

•	Enter a CAS number. This is the recommended method for finding a specific
pollutant because it accounts for any variations in pollutant names. A listing of CAS
numbers is in Appendix H of this User's Manual.

Emissions Abatement Information

Emissions abatement information includes the case-by-case regulatory program under
which the limit was established, the method used to control emissions, a particular pollution
prevention technique or add-on control that was used to achieve the emissions limit, and/or the
percent efficiency of the control method used. Partial words work best for searches on control
description, because they allow for spelling variations. For control efficiency information, specify
a comparison operator.

•	Specify the case-by-case regulatory basis under which limits were established (e.g.,
BACT-PSD or LAER). Choose from the pick-list of case-by-case basis values in
the data base.

•	Choose the control method name/code that describes the method used to achieve the
emissions abatement. Control method codes are: A (add-on control), P (pollution
prevention), B (both), and N (none). This selection works best when used in
combination with other criteria because it matches a large number of data base
entries.

•	Enter a word or phrase for the particular pollution prevention method or add-on
equipment that was used.

•	Select a control efficiency threshold as a percentage. Thresholds can be specified as
either equal, greater than or less than. Very often, a measure of efficiency is not
provided with the submittal, so a search on this data element may not find many
matching records.

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EXAMPLE: USING THE STANDARD SEARCH FORM
Problem: Too many determinations.

The RBLC Web data base is being consulted to identify nitrogen oxide (NOx) control
methods applied to large, combined-cycle, natural gas turbines. A quick Basic Search using the
generic process type code 15.000, Large Combustion Turbines (> 25 MW), and the pollutant
selection NOx yields 412 determinations, an overwhelming number. What sort of search options
can be used to refine the search?

Solution: Define needs, experiment with options, run several searches.

The study is focusing on just combined-cycle, natural gas turbines, so the generic process
type is not the best selection for the search. Refining the process type code selection will help.
Combustion source process type codes are now broken down into very specific subsets of similar
sources. In this example, there is a corresponding process type code that closely matches the
search criteria: 15.210: Natural Gas, Combined-Cycle or Cogeneration, Large Combustion
Turbines (> 25MW). The search can be further refined by searching the process name for the
word "combined" to eliminate cogeneration processes. However, using the specific process type
code, the pollutant NOx. and "combined" in the process name field still yields 108 determinations.

A further limit is that results of this work will be used in the state of California, therefore,
specifying California determinations should reflect State rules and practices. Using the
location/state option, along with those previously selected, results in 7 determinations and 8
processes, both very manageable numbers. Further research could identify states with similar
NOx rules, or, having identified a likely pollution control method, the standard search or advanced
search could be used to identify all instances of that control method for review.

Once all search criteria for the standard search have been specified, click on the "Run
search now" button to begin the search, or click the "Reset" button to start over with a blank
standard search form.

The results of the search are displayed in a table. Examining the results of the search and
downloading the results to a local PC are discussed in Section 2.4.

2.3.6 Advanced Search

The advanced search option lets the user create search criteria by choosing from pick-lists
of all searchable data elements and data operators, and entering desired values. Three search
criteria can be combined using 'AND' or 'OR' logical connectors for more selective searches.
Figure 2-5 illustrates the initial part of the advanced search page. Although similar to the standard
search, the advanced search option does not provide sets of allowable values for data elements.
These values must be entered by the user. In general, the user should know what information each

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data element contains to use this option effectively. Use the on-line help and this document's
discussions of data base elements in Section 2.2, and standard search options in Section 2.3.5, when
running the advanced search. As with other search options, the user must select one or more RBLC
permit data bases. See Section 2.2.1 for more information.

| '3 EPA - TTN Specify Criteria for RBLC Advanced Search - Microsoft Internet Explorer



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RBLC Home
Basic Information
Search Data Base
Data Entry
Products

State & Local
Agency Links

Related Links

Technical Resources

Recent Additions
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RBLC Advanced Search H0||]

Choose the portion of the RBLC permit database with the determinations
from the time period you are interested in.

Select a Subset of the Database

W Draft Determinations

W Final Determinations (permitted since January 1,1996)

V Final Determinations (permitted before January 1,1996)

3

Other Search
Options:

Permit Data Base

Basic Search

Find Lowest Emission Rate
Standard Search
RBLC ID Search

Regulation Data
Base

Scan All

Standard Search
Advanced Search

Specify your criteria by choosing a data element to search on, Specify first criteria

selecting a comparison operator, and typing the value you are 		

looking for.

I Data Element



Operator

H

Value

I Filter Search Selection:

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Run search now | Reset form |

If you like, you can refine your search by
combining two or more criteria with a
logical connector.

Choose connector foptional)

m

Specify a second criteria for the refined
search by choosing another data element
and operator, then typing in the desired

Specify second criteria (optional)



Internet

Figure 2-5: Advanced Search

Specify the first search criteria by choosing a data element and a comparison operator from
the pick-lists. Then type the desired alphanumeric value for the data element in the text box.
Entries are not case sensitive. The searchable data elements are:

•	Agency code;

•	Case-by-case basis;

•	CAS number;

•	Corporate/Company name;

•	Control method code;

•	Control method description;

•	Date added to the RBLC;

•	Date last modified;

•	Date permit issued;

•	Distance to Class 1 areas;

•	Estimated efficiency;

•	Identifier (RBLC ID);

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•	Permit Number;

•	Facility name;

•	Facilitywide emissions (pollutant name);

•	Pollutant name;

•	Process name;

•	Process type code;

•	Region;

•	SIC code;

•	NAICS code; and

•	State (search using two-character US Post Office abbreviation for the state).

The operator you choose defines which values of the specified data element you are
interested in. In the simplest criteria, you are usually trying to match a value and will use the equals
operator, for example, "State equals TX". Not all operators work with all types of data. The
available operators are:

•	Equals;

•	Begins with;

•	Contains (word search);

•	Greater than;

•	Less than;

•	Greater than or equal to; and

•	Less than, or equal to.

The "equals" operator and the inequality operators (>, <, >=, <=) can be used with all data

elements.	The "contains" operator cannot be used with date or numeric data elements.

All three fields (i.e., data element, operator, and value) must be entered. At this point, the
user can click the "Run search now" button to run the search using only one set of search criteria,
or a second set of search criteria can be added by choosing one the following logical connectors:

•	"And" finds records that match both of the search criteria.

•	"Or" finds records that match either one of the search criteria.

If a connector is selected, the second criteria set must be specified by choosing data
elements from the second criteria pick-lists and entering a desired value. Be careful not to specify
mutually exclusive criteria. For example, specifying "State equals NC and State equals FL" will not
find any matching records.

At this point, the user can click the "Run search now" button to run the search using two sets
of search criteria, or a third set of search criteria can be added by choosing data elements from the
third criteria pick-list, and entering a desired value. The same logical connector selected above
applies to the third set of search criteria.

2-18


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Click the "Run search now" button to run the search. The "Reset form" button can be used
to start over with a blank search form. Search results are displayed in a table, which is discussed in
Section 2.4.

2.3.7 RBLC ID Search

This option is the fastest way to find a permit on the RBLC web. A search by the RBLC
Identifier requires only one input, the RBLC ID. Up to three RBLC identifiers can be used in a
single search. This search will find all valid RBLC IDs (Draft and Final) in the RBLC data base.

The correct format of an RBLC ID is AA-nnnn, where AA is the 2-letter state abbreviation
and nnnn is a 4-digit number that uniquely identifies the permit. Some older permits use a single
letter suffix (e.g., CA-0001.A) to further distinguish among related determinations. Input for this
single letter suffix field is not case sensitive.

Click the "Run search now" button to start the search. Search results are displayed in a table
that is discussed in Section 2.4.

2.4 SEARCH RESULTS

The results for all RBLC search options are displayed as a table of links to additional
information. For all searches except the Find Lowest Emission Rate Search, the table (see Figure
2-6) displays the RBLC ID, corporate/company and facility name, city, state, process type code,
process name, permit number, and permit date. Initially, the results table is sorted by permit date,
but the results can also be sorted state/RBLC ID (the first two characters of the RBLC ID are the
state abbreviation), or corporate/company and facility name by using the "Sort By" buttons at the
top of the table. Each row in the table represents a determination and process that matched the
search criteria. A facility may appear with multiple rows, one for each matching process found by
the search. Results can be viewed on-line or saved in any of the RBLC standard output formats,
which are discussed in Section 2.5. To view and navigate through data on-line, click on the RBLC
IDs or process description links. The RBLC ID numbers are linked to facility level data (general
information about the permitting action). Process descriptions are linked to the process details page
that includes links to pollutant data.

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EPA - TTN RBLC Standard Search Results - Microsoft Internet Explorer

JOjx]

File Edit View Favorites Tools Help

RBLC Search Results

List of Reports

Help |

T3

Your search has found 6 facilities and 6 processes that match your search criteria. You can view details for one or more facilities by
clicking on the highlighted RBLC identifier or the process description in the list below. To create a report, select one of the standard
output formats from the list of reports at the bottom of this page. Only facilities that are checked in the table below will be included in
your report. Click on the check box next to any facility to switch between checked and unchecked or use the "Check" or "Un-Check"
all facilities buttons at the top of the list to check or uncheck all records in the list.

Matching Facilities for Search Criteria:

Portion of Database: Draft Determinations And RBLC Permits issued during or after January,
and region = 4 and Process Type Contains 30.212'

1996

Check

un-check ALL Facilities

New Search

NOTE: Draft determinations are marked with a " * " beside the RBLC ID.

RBLC ID

Sort By I

CORPORATE/COMPANY &
FACILITY NAME

Sort By I

CODE

PROCESS
DESCRIPTION

PERMIT
NUMBER
PERMIT DATE

Sort By I

17 *MS-0075

GEORGIA PACIFIC CORP.
MONTICELLO MILL

30.212

SMELT DISSOLVING TANKS f41

1500-00007
07/09/2003

17 SC-0083

WEYERHAEUSER COMPANY
WEYERHEAUSER COMPANY-
MARLBORO PAPER MILL

30.212

SMELT DISSOLVING TANK

1680-0043 DE-
DG
12/10/2002

17 NC-0092

INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY

30.212

SMELT TANKS

03138R16



RIEGELWOOD MILL





05/10/2001

|7 AL-0116 GULF STATES PAPER
CORPORATION
GULF STATES PAPER
CORPORATION

30.212 SMELT DISSOLVING TANK

105-0001-X027
12/10/1997

\m



Figure 2-6: Results Table for a Standard Search

Depending on which option you have selected, the results table displays either all of the
records or 150 records at a time. Any reports generated from the results table will contain only the
facilities displayed on the current page. If you have selected "Show 150 records per page" and
more than 150 records are returned by a search, a link to the next 150 records appears just above and
below the results table. Users can move through pages of results using the "Next 150 Facilities" and
"Previous 150 Facilities" links.

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'3 EPA - TTN RBLC Ranking Report - Microsoft Internet Explorer

JflJxJ

File Edit View Favorites Tools Help

RBLC Ranking Report

List of Reports	Help

Your search has found 41 facilities that match your search criteria. You can view details for one or more facilities by clicking on the
highlighted RBLC identifier or the process description in the list below. To create a report, select one of the standard output formats
from the list of reports at the bottom of this page. Only facilities that are checked in the table below will be included in your report.
Click on the check box next to any facility to switch between checked and unchecked or use the "Check" or "Un-Check" all facilities
buttons at the top of the list to check or uncheck all records in the list.

Search Criteria

Pollutant: Carbon Monoxide
Process Category: Utility- and Large Industrial-Size Boilers/Furnaces (more than 250 million Btu/H)

Process Type: 11.110
Process Name: Coal (includes bituminous, subbituminous, anthracite, and lignite)

Permit Date Between 09/26/1999 And 09/26/2006

Check

un-check ALL Facilities

New Search

RBLCID

PERMIT
~ATE

CORPORATE/COMPANY NAME & FACILITY NAME

STANDARD
EMISSION LIMIT

17

TX-0275

12/21/2000 RELIANT ENERGY, INC.

W.A. PARISH ELECTRIC GENERATING STATION

0.0500 LB/MMBTU

F

PR-0007

10/29/2001 AES PUERTO RICO

COGENERATION PLANT (AES-PRCP)

0.1000 LB/MMBTU

17

IL-0094

06/03/2004 CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL
CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL

0.1000 LB/MMBTU

F

KY-0084

10/11/2002 THOROUGHBRED GENERATING COMPANY, LLC
THOROUGHBRED GENERATING STATION

0.1000 MM BTU/H

F WV-0023

i-! Done

03/02/2004 LONGVIEW POWER, LLC

0.1100 LB/MMBTU

£ Internet



zi

//.

Figure 2-7: Results Table for Find Lowest Emission Rate Search

For the Find Lowest Emission Rate Search, the resulting Ranking Report (see Figure 2-7)
displays the RBLC ID, permit date, corporation/company name and facility name, and standard
emission limit. The search criteria used for the search (Process Code, Process Name and Pollutant)
appear towards the top of the page as a reminder. To view and navigate through data on-line, click
on the RBLC IDs or standard emission limit links. The RBLC ID numbers are linked to facility
level data (general information about the permitting action). Standard emission limits are linked to
the pollutant details page. Although all of the usual report formats are available, no report format
lists just the lowest emissions results. Users can print or save the results table itself.

2.4.1 Navigating the Search Results

Each RBLC Web page that displays facility, process or pollutant permit data has navigation
buttons near the top of the page to assist in moving through the Web site, search results and data
screens. Buttons are provided for the following: "RBLC Home", "New Search", "Search Results",
"Facility Information", "Process List", "Process Information", and "Pollutant Information". Figures
2-8 through 2-10 show these navigation buttons. Use the navigation buttons and links rather than
the Web browser's navigation buttons to avoid potential errors that can result from the way that

2-21


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browsers cache information. If a search is not successful, return to the search page and re-specify
the search criteria. Check to make sure that a misspelled word or an invalid value for a search
element is not the problem.

2.4.2 Viewing Search Results

Information about each permit determination in the RBLC data base is organized by facility,
process, and pollutant. Each RBLC ID in a search results table links to details about the permitted
facility for that determination. Each process listed in the results table links to details about that
process in the permitted facility. Process links are not provided in the Find Lowest Emission Rate
search results table; however, each standard emission limit listed in the Find Lowest Emission Rate
search results table is linked to pollutant details for the pollutant selected. Successively deeper
levels of information are viewed by clicking on the navigation buttons that appear near the top of
each data page or links provided on the page. Refer to Section 2.2 for more information about
facility, process, and pollutant level data elements. For other than Find Lowest Emission Rate
searches, pollutant level data is accessed from links located on its associated process level page.
Use the "Search Results" navigation button near the top of the page to return to the search results
table and pick another facility to view.

Facility Level Data

The first page that is displayed when the RBLC ID link is selected is the determination's
facility level information (see Figure 2-8 for an example). Navigation buttons are available on this
page for viewing search results and process/pollutant information.

If a facility has multiple processes, they are all displayed on a process list page. Use the
"Process List" navigation button to display the list of processes. Each process in the list is a link to
a process detail page that displays additional information about that process. The process detail
page appears immediately upon selecting the "Process List" button if the facility has only one
process.

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Figure 2-8: Facility Level Detail Page

Process Level Data

The process detail page (Figure 2-9) presents specifics about the process. Use the
navigation button near the top of the screen to go back to the process list (if any) to select other
processes for viewing. A pollutant list for the process is present in the lower right corner of the
page. Each pollutant name is an active link to the pollutant level detail page.

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'5 RBLC Facility Information - Microsoft Internet Explorer



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Process Information - Details

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FINAL



RBLC ID:SC-0083
Corporate/Company: WEYERHAEUSER COMPANY

Facility Name:WEYERHEAUSER COMPANY-MARLBORO PAPER MILL
Process: SMELT DISSOLVING TANK







Pollutant Information - List of Pollutants

Help |



Primary Fuel:

Throughput: 4.40 MMLB/D
Process Code: 30 212

Pollutant Prima[* , .

Emission Limit

Particulate Matter 0.1990 LB/T
iPMi

Basis Verified

BACT-
PSD





Sulfur Dioxide (S02) 0.0500 LB/T

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psn







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ml



Internet



Figure 2-9: Process Level Detail Page
Pollutant Level Data

The pollutant detail page (Figure 2-10) presents specifics about emissions of the particular
pollutant. Use the "Process/Pollutant Information" navigation button at the top of the screen to go
back to the process/pollutant list to select and view other pollutants (if any).

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| '5 RBLC Pollutant Information - Microsoft Internet Explorer



File Edit View Favorites Tools Help

Links » ^

a



Pollutant Information

Help |



3

FINAL







RBLC ID: SC-0083
Corporate/Company: WEYERHAEUSER COMPANY

Facility Name: WEYERHEAUSER COMPANY-MARLBORO PAPER MILL
Process: SMELT DISSOLVING TANK







Pollutant: Sulfur , Total CAS Number: 77 0 4

Reduced (TRS)

Pollution Prevention/Add-on Control Equipment/Both/No
Controls Feasible: B

p 2/add-on LOW SULFIDE WATER SCRUBBER/RECOVERY FURNACE FIRING RATE
Description: AND PULP PRODUCTION RATE (4.4 MM LB BLS/D AND 1410 ADTBP/D)
AND PULP PRODUCTION LIMITS







Estimated % Efficiency:

Compliance Verified:

EMISSION LIMITS:

Basis: BACT-PSD

Other Applicable

Requirements:

Other Factors Influence

Decision:

Emission Limit 1: 0.0300 LB/T BLS
Emission Limit 2: 12.0000 T/YR
Standardized: Not Available



-

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3

Figure 2-10: Pollutant Level Detail Page

2.5 DATA BASE REPORTS

There are five pre-defined report formats available for RBLC permit data base searches and
two of these reports allow the user to select the data fields that will be displayed in the report.
These reports can be viewed on-line or downloaded to a PC.

2.5.1 Generating a Report

There are two options regarding the number of records displayed in a report: "Show all
records," or "Show only selected records on this page." Note that, due to data base restrictions, a
maximum of 1000 facility records may be printed in any one report. If more than 1000 facility
records are identified by the search results, the "Show all records" options will change to "Show
first 1000 records." If you selected "Show All" in your search criteria on the previous Web page,
all records are displayed on one results page. Therefore, if you did not uncheck any of the records
on the results page, both report options will be the same. If you did uncheck records, the "Show
only selected records on this page" option will include only the checked records in the report, and
the "Show All Records" option will include all records (checked or unchecked, up to 1000 records)
in the report.

2-25


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If you selected "Show 150 records per page" in your search criteria on the previous Web
page, only 150 records can be displayed on a results page. If your search identifies 150 or fewer
records, all records will be displayed on the same page and the report options will function as
indicated above. However, if your search has more than 150 records, the "Show only selected
records on this page" option will be limited to the selected (checked) records on the current Web
page. You must select the "Print all records" report option to print all (first 1000) records that met
the search criteria on the current and subsequent pages. You may also choose the "Show only
selected records on this page" option and generate separate reports for the records displayed on each
results page.

Available report formats are listed in a pick-list at the bottom of the results page (see
Figure 2-11). Both summary and detail formats are available. Summary reports include all of the
facilities displayed in the results table. These reports are fairly short and do not take a long time to
create. Detail reports can be very lengthy depending on the size of the result set. Formatting time
for reports can be reduced by selecting specific facilities using the check box in the first column
next to each Rule ID in the results table. Initially all affected facilities are checked and will be
included in the detail reports. Use the check box next to an affected facility to de-select the
facility. The "Check" and Uncheck" buttons at the top of the results table can also be used.

Choose a format from the list, then click the "Create report" button to generate the report.
Formatting a report may take some time, especially for a large number of facilities. The detail
reports take the longest time to generate because they include the most information. All reports are
created as ASCII text. Also see Appendix F - Examples of RBLC Standard Reports.

The following report formats are available:

•	Process Index Report (as Sorted in Results Table): This formats reports RBLC
ID, facility name, permit date, and process code and description.

•	Process Type Summary Report: Process records are sorted by numeric process
code. In addition to the process code and name, this report includes the following
data elements: RBLC ID, facility name, permit date, permitting agency, and name
and telephone number for the current agency contact person who is knowledgeable
about the determination.

•	Comprehensive Report (as Sorted in Results Table): This format reports most of
the information in the permit data base for selected facilities. Because it includes
details about all processes and pollutants, this is a very lengthy report.

2-26


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I @ EPA - TTN RBLC Basic Search Results - Microsoft Internet Explorer



File Edit View Favorites Tools Help

Back '	Search S V F

^Media ^ 0'^ H ~ i£l ^

ONE

»

Links

0 *7X0234

EDINBURG ENERGY LIMITED

11.005

Ml COMBINED CYCLE GAS TURBINE ABB

PSD-TX-895

PARTNERSHIP



MODEL GT24

01/08/2002



EDINBURG ENERGY LIMITED









PARTNERSHIP







0*7X0233

RELIANT ENERGY CHANNELVIEW

19.700

TURBINE #1-#4 LUBE OIL VENT

PSD-7X946

LP





10/29/2001



RELIANT ENERGY- CHANNELVIEW









COGENERATION FACILITY











19.900

COOLING TOWER







19.700

STEAM TURBINE LUBE OIL VENT







19.900

FUGITIVES







15.210

TURBINE/HRSG #1-#4



0TX-O232

CHAMBERS ENERGY, L P

15.210

ELECTRIC GENERATION TURBINE

41802



ELECTRIC GENERATING STATION





08/31/2000

07X0231

WEST CAMPUS COGENERATION

15.110

GAS TURBINES

23962/PSD-7X

COMPANY





837



WEST CAMPUS COGENERATION





05/02/1994



COMPANY







07X0230

GEORGIA GULF CORPORATION

11.310

FURNACE

PSD-TX-820

GEORGIA GULF CORPORATION





01/13/1994

Select a Report Format

Formatting your report may take a while, especially if your facility has a large number of processes and pollutants- The detail reports
take the longest amount of time because they include the most information Please be patient after you select "Create report".
O Show All Records 0Show Only Selected Records On This Page

Process Index Report(as Sorted in Results Table)	-* | Create report | Help |

Process Index Reportfas Sorted in Results Table)
Process Type Summaryjwith Agency Contact Info)

Comprehensive Reportias Sorted in Results Table}

Free Form Report(Customizable Fields Selection)

Free Form Reportfas Sorted in Results Table)

Export/Import ReportfASCII Deliniated Text as Sorted in Results Table)

I OAQPS File Utilities

EPA Home | Privacy and Security Notice Contact Us

0

*f9 Internet

Figure 2-11: Download Report Format Selection

•	Free Form Reports (as Sorted in Results Table): There are two options for this
report. The customizable fields option allows the user to select the fields displayed
in the report. The other option literally displays all information in the permit data
base for the selected facilities. Each data field displays as one line in the report.
Depending on the number of fields selected and the number of determinations in the
search results table, this may be a very long report.

•	Export/Import Report (as Sorted in Results Table): This report is customized,
and allows the user to select only those data fields that are needed. This report saves
selected data fields in a quoted, comma-delimited format that is suitable for
importing into desktop data bases or spreadsheets.

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2.5.2 Downloading RBLC Information

When the RBLC Web has finished creating the report, either a Save dialog box or the report
itself will be displayed. The exact action depends upon the browser configuration. If the report
appears on the browser, choose the "Save As" command from the browser File menu to save the
report file. Then, use the "Back" button to return to the results table. Netscape® users must specify
a ".txt" file extension when saving a report. The default extension is ".cfm" which could cause
problems when the file is re-opened. When using other browsers, using a ".txt" file extension is also
recommended if the file will be used with word processing or spreadsheet software.

A report can also be printed directly from the RBLC Web using the browser print function.

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SECTION 3:

RBLC REGULATION DATA BASE SEARCH ROUTINES AND DATA
STRUCTURE

The RBLC Regulation data base contains summaries of U.S. EPA emission standards enacted in
response to the Clean Air Act and its Amendments. These regulations include Maximum
Achievable Control Technology (MACT) standards, National Emission Standards for Hazardous
Air Pollutants (NESHAP), New Source Performance Standards (NSPS), Control Techniques
Guidelines (CTG) documents, which specify requirements for Reasonably Available Control
Technology (RACT), and Section 183(e) (Best Available Control) regulations (i.e., consumer
products standards).

Registration is not required to use the RBLC Web regulation data base. Click on "Search
Data Base" from the RBLC home page sidebar menu. From the "RBLC Basic Search" page under
"Other Search Options," select one of the regulation data base search options to search or browse
the regulation data.

This section discusses: (1) regulation data base elements and structure; (2) search
methodologies; (3) the three regulation data base search options; and (4) standard regulation data
base output reports that are available for your search results.

3.1 DATA BASE ELEMENTS AND STRUCTURE

The organization of the regulation data base is similar to that of the RBLC's permit data
base. Each entry, or regulation in the data base contains three levels of data:

•	Regulation data,

•	Process data, and

•	Pollutant data.

Each regulation is associated with a type of facility and related processes that emit
pollutants. The facility might be a particular type of industrial plant, such as a coke oven or vinyl
chloride manufacturing plant, or a generic operation such as waste transfer.

Each regulation addresses one or more different processes. Regulations can specify
different emission standards for new and/or existing sources; or for sources that are different in size
(throughput). Therefore, a regulation may address the same general process multiple times, but
with different emission limits for sources with different capacities or construction dates. Each
process, in turn, is linked to information on one or more pollutants and the emission limits required
by the regulation. Each regulation must have at least one process and at least one pollutant.

The information that EPA maintains in the data base is listed below. Data elements that can
be used in a search are marked with an asterisk (*).

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Regulation Name / Industry Sector Information

•	RBLC ID*: The unique identification number assigned to each regulation by the
system. For Federal regulations, the number consists of the letter "R" followed by
the abbreviation "US" and a four-digit number, e.g., RUS-0001 is the first entry
made for Federal regulations. Although no State and local agency regulations are
currently in the data base, they may be added in the future. State and local
regulations would use the appropriate State abbreviation in the RBLC ID instead of
"US."

•	Regulation name/industry sector*: A character field describing the facility,
plant, or operation affected by the regulation.

•	SIC code*: The standard industrial classification (SIC) code for facilities used
throughout the United States. This classification system is being phased out and
replaced by the North American Classification System (NAICS) code (see below).
A list of valid SIC codes is available as a drop down list in the search portion of the
RBLC web site, or the list can be downloaded as a file from the RBLC Documents
list.

•	NAICS code*: The North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS)
code was established pursuant to the North American Free Trade Agreement
(NAFTA) and is replacing the SIC code (see above). A list of valid NAICS codes is
available as a drop down list in the search portion of the RBLC web site, or the list
can be downloaded as a file from the U.S. Department of Commerce Web site using
links to the NACIS provided form the "Related Links" page on the RBLC Web.

•	State: Two-character abbreviation for the State in which the regulation applies.
"US" is the abbreviation used for Federal regulations.

•	EPA Region: Zero (0) is used as the region for Federal regulations. If State
regulations are added, the EPA region number (1-10) will indicate the region in
which the State that issued the regulation is located.

•	Regulatory Basis*: The statutory basis under which the agency issues the
regulation. The choices which may be entered are:

183(E)/BAC — Consumer & Commercial Products VOC Limits;

CTG — Control Technique Guidelines/CTG (RACT for VOC);

FIPMACT — Federal Implementation Plan (MACT Related);

NESHAP — National Emission Standards for HAP (NESHAP) -

Health based;

NESHAP — National Emission Standards for HAP (NESHAP) -

MACT based;

NSPS — New Source Performance Standards (NSPS); and

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Other Regulations.

Status of the regulation: A character field describing the legal status of the
regulation (proposed, in effect, etc.).

Agency information: Four fields which provide information on the regulatory
agency. The first field is the agency code (see Appendix B); the second is the
agency name (automatically assigned based on the agency code). The third and
fourth fields provide a contact name and phone number for the person at the
regulatory agency who can answer questions regarding the regulation.

Regulation number* : A number which the regulatory agency assigns to the
regulation. If the regulation is issued by U.S. EPA, this number would identify the
appropriate part and subpart of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).

Background information document (BID): The identification number which
the regulatory agency assigns to the document that contains technical, cost, and
other information supporting the regulation. A second field is available for the title
of the document.

Scheduling information: Key dates in the development of the regulation are
stored in the data base, such as the following:

Date technical support documentation was completed;

Date public notice was given;

Date regulation was proposed;

Date when the regulation was first entered into the regulation data base*;
Date when changes were last made to the data base for this regulation*; and
Date final regulation became effective*.

The data base also includes character fields for a reference to the legal publication in
which regulations were announced. For Federal regulations, this is the Federal
Register (FR).

Notes: Field that includes explanatory information about the regulation.

On-Line File Information: These two fields are for Federal regulations only and
list the documents (text of regulation, any supporting documentation, etc.) and their
location if the regulation is available for downloading from the OAR Policy and
Guidance web site.

Entry Date*: Date when the regulation was first entered into the regulation data
base.

Last Update*: Date when changes were last made to the data base for this

3-3


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regulation.

Process Information:

•	Process description*: The description of the process being regulated.

•	Process type code*: A numeric code assigned to each process used to categorize
determinations. Codes and their descriptors can be found in Appendix C and in a
drop down list in the standard regulation search portion of the RBLC web site.

•	Size/capacity and units: Information on the size or capacity of the process unit,
often specified using a range or a capacity threshold.

•	Process notes: This field includes explanatory information specific to the
regulation of this process.

Pollutant Information:

•	Pollutant name*: The name of the pollutant being controlled.

•	chemical abstract service (CAS) number* : The Chemical Abstract
Service number for the pollutant.

•	Primary emission limit and units: The primary emission limit listed in the
regulation. For regulations that do not have numeric limits, the units may refer to
the demonstrated technology descriptions or to the notes.

•	Alternative emission limit and units: If provided in the regulation, these
numbers represent any alternative emission limitations that may be an option or
required for a pollutant.

•	percent efficiency (control efficiency)*: The design efficiency required by
the regulation, often based on a particular type of control equipment and/or pollution
prevention method, and expressed as a percentage.

•	Type of emission controlled* : A one-character field indicating whether the
emission is classified as fugitive (F), point source (P), or area source (A).

•	Demonstrated Technology Description* : A description of the specific add-on
control equipment or pollution prevention techniques on which the emission limits
of the regulation are based. Pollution prevention often includes continuous
monitoring requirements, work practice standards, or operator training and
qualification.

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•	Cost data: Control costs for a model facility. The model plant is generally
described in the process notes. Costs contained in the regulation data base include:

Year of the dollar used in cost calculations;

Capital cost to purchase and install control equipment;

Annualized cost (amortized capital costs plus annual operation and

maintenance (O&M) costs); and

Cost effectiveness in dollars per ton.

3.2 SEARCHING THE REGULATION DATA BASE

3.2.1	Planning the Search

The RBLC regulation data base can be searched using three search options as discussed
below. These options allow the user to browse the regulation listings or build sophisticated
searches using multiple search criteria. Users should review the data base elements listed in the
preceding section, and note those that can be used in a search.

3.2.2	How to run a search

The three search options available for the RBLC Regulation data base are listed and
described directly below in Section 3.2.3. Choose one of these options to begin a search. Search
criteria are selected using the same tools as those in the permit data base search system: pick-lists,
buttons, and text fields. After defining criteria, click on the "Run search now" button to run the
search.

All of the RBLC Regulation data base search options present results in a table that lists the
RBLC Regulation ID, the CFR citation, the regulation name/industry sector, the process code, and
the process description. Each option also supports viewing and saving the results in any of the
RBLC standard output formats. See Section 3.3 to learn more about viewing results and generating
reports.

3.2.3	Regulation Data Base Search Options

Choose one of the following three options under "Regulation Data Base Searches" to locate
information in the regulation data base. Then, follow the directions on the screen to define a search.

•	Scan All Regulations displays all regulations in the data base, sorted alphabetically
by Regulation Name/Industry Sector.

•	Standard Search provides a search form with a format similar to that used for the
permit data base standard search. Standard search allows users to build search
criteria by choosing from multiple data elements, such as regulation identifiers,
facility type, pollutants, and control information. Where appropriate, pick-lists of
allowable values are provided.

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• Advanced Search allows users to choose from pick-lists of data elements and enter
desired values to build a set of search criteria. Criteria can be combined for more
selective searches. In general, users should know what each data element contains
to use this option effectively.

3.2.3.1	Scan All

Choose the "Scan All" option to easily view the entire regulation data base. All entries to
the data base are displayed in a table, and entries can be selected for download. Results are sorted
alphabetically by Regulation Name/Industry Sector. However, the results can be resorted by the
RBLC ID or CFR Citation by clicking on the "Sort By" button above each of those columns in the
results table.

3.2.3.2	Standard Search

The "Standard Search" option offers flexibility in examining the regulation data base
(currently 223 rules). It allows searches on several data fields (for example, process type code,
process name, or pollutant), and it supports combining data fields for more selective searches.

The initial part of the "Standard Search" option displays links to groups of related search
fields, (e.g., regulation identification or process information). These links can be used to move
directly to those fields, or the user can scroll through the page. Search criteria are defined by filling
out the appropriate sections of the form. Figure 3-1 shows part of the standard search input form for
the regulation identification section. Brief instructions for each group of data elements appear
below each group's input fields.

Some data elements can be matched in one of several ways. These elements are presented
in the search form with a comparison operator and a value field for entering matching text or
numbers. For example, the allowable operators for numbers are equals, greater than, or less than.
Operators for alphanumeric fields allow a match of any part of the data, beginning characters only,
or an exact match of every character.

One or more of the search criteria fields can be filled out for the standard search. Try to
select enough criteria to match a manageable number of records, without being so restrictive that
the search finds no matches or being so vague that the search is complex and takes a long time to
run. Usually, two to three criteria work well. Be sure not to specify mutually exclusive criteria.

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| '3 EPA - TTN RBLC Database Search - Microsoft Internet Explorer

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Five groups of data elements can be searched by the RBLC standard search:

1)	Process Information;

2)	Pollutant Information;

3)	Regulation Identification;

4)	Emission Abatement; and

5)	Date Selection.

These groups are discussed below.

Process Information

Enter a partial or complete process name. This search criterion automatically uses
the "containing" operator and works especially well when combined with one of the
other process data elements. Appendix D lists common process names used in the
RBLC.

Choose a process type code from the pick-list. Enter a number between 1 and 9 to

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scroll to that part of the process code list: 1 for fuel combustion sources; 2 for waste
disposal; 3 for the wood products industries; 4 for organic evaporative losses; 5 for
petroleum/natural gas production and refining; 6 for chemicals manufacturing; 7 for
food and agricultural products; 8 for the metallurgical industry; and 9 for mineral
products and miscellaneous sources. Appendix C lists allowable process codes. A
higher level process type code (i.e., "NN.000" where NN represents the first two
digits of the process type code and is followed by a decimal point and three zeros)
can be used to identify a larger group of related process types that share the same
initial digits in the process type code.

Pollutant Information

•	Specify a pollutant name. Choose from one of the pollutants in the pick-list
Appendix H of this User's Manual lists names, Chemical Abstract Service Numbers,
and alternative names for pollutants included in the RBLC.

•	Choose from the list of available emission types (point, area, or fugitive). This
selection works best when used in combination with other criteria because it
matches a large number of data base entries.

Regulation Identifiers

•	Select an identifier from the pick-list (see below) and enter the desired value to
match, using comparison operators to find entries containing, beginning with, or
exactly matching the entered text. Regulation identifiers are:

-	Regulation Name/Industry Sector

-	CFR Citation

-	RBLC ID (Regulation number)

Enter an RBLC ID or CFR citation in the value field to locate one specific regulation.
The format for RBLC Regulation IDs is "RAA-NNNN", with "R" as a prefix (see
the description of Rule ID in Section 3.1) and "AA" indicating US for a Federal
regulations or a state abbreviation for a state regulation (Note: At this time, only
Federal regulations are currently in the RBLC Regulation data base). The format for
CFR citation varies. Most Federal regulations take the form "40 CFR Part nn
Subpart aaa" where "nn" is the 2 digit part number (e.g., part 60 for NSPS, part 61
forNESHAP, and part 63 for MACT standards) and "aaa" is the subpart designation
which may vary in length from one to five letters. If the appropriate part and subpart
of the CFR in which a regulation was published are known, use the CFR citation.
CTG entries do not have regulation numbers.

•	Choose from the pick-list of SIC codes to retrieve a set of facilities in a particular
industry. A link to a downloadable list present on the CHIEF web site is provided in
the RBLC Reference Library.

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•	Choose from the pick-list of NAICS Industry Sector codes to select the first two
digits of the NAICS code, then use the NAICS Industry Code pick list to pick the
remaining four digits. A link to a downloadable list present on the CHIEF web site
is provided in the RBLC Reference Library.

•	Select a regulatory basis from the pick-list to retrieve all rules enacted under a
particular Federal statute.

The comparison operators used when searching a regulation identifier are:

•	Containing - performs a word search and matches all affected facilities that contain
the specified value anywhere in the selected data element. This is the recommended
comparison operator for all regulation identifiers except Rule ID.

•	Beginning with - finds only those affected facilities whose facility name begins
with the value specified.

•	Exact match - is the most restrictive operator and requires a character by character
match between the value specified and the facility data element. This is the
recommended comparison operator for matching Rule ID.

Emissions Abatement Information

•	Enter a word or phrase for the demonstrated technology description, i.e., the
pollution prevention or add-on equipment control method to be used in the search.

•	Specify a control efficiency threshold as a percentage. Very often, a measure of
efficiency is not specified with the regulation, so a search on this data element may
not find many matching records.

•	When the search criteria are complete, click the "Run search now" button to begin
the search. Click the "Reset form" button to start over with a blank standard search
form.

An overview of the results of the search is displayed in a table. The results table can be
sorted either by the RBLC ID, CFR citation, or affected facility name using the "Sort By" buttons
at the top of the table. Examining the results of the search and downloading the results are
discussed in Section 3.3.

Dates

•	Choose a date element from the date range pick-list:

-	Date added to the RBLC

-	Date last modified

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Enter a "from" date and/or a "to" date to define the date range. The search will find
dates the same as or more recent than the "from" date and the same as or earlier than
the "to" date.

Dates should be entered in a numeric mm/dd/yyyy format. If the system cannot recognize
the date as it has been entered, it will prompt the user to go back and enter another date value.

When the search criteria are complete, click on the "Run search now" button to begin the
search. Click the "Reset form" button to start over with a blank standard search form.

An overview of the results of the search is displayed in a table. The results table can be
sorted either by the RBLC ID, CFR citation, or regulation name/industry sector using the " Sort By"
buttons at the top of these columns in the table. Examining the results of the search and
downloading the results are discussed in Section 3.3.

3.2.3.3 Advanced Search

The advanced search option lets the user create search criteria by choosing from pick-lists
of data elements and data operators, and entering desired values. Up to three search criteria can be
combined using 'AND' or 'OR' logical connectors for more selective searches. Figure 3-2
illustrates the initial part of the advanced search page. Although similar to the standard search, the
advanced search option does not provide sets of allowable values for data elements. These values
must be entered by the user. In general, the user should know what information each data element
contains to use this option effectively. Use the on-line help and this document's discussions of data
base elements in Section 3.1 and standard search options in Section 3.2.3.2 when running the
advanced search.

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| '3 EPA - TTN Specify Criteria for RBLC Advanced Search - Microsoft Internet Explorer





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Specify the first search criteria by choosing a data element and a comparison operator from
the pick-lists. Then type the desired value for the data element in the text box. Entries are not case
sensitive. The searchable data elements are:

•	Regulation Name/Industry Sector;

•	CAS number;

•	CFR Citation;

•	Control efficiency;

•	Control method description (demonstrated technology description);

•	Date added to the RBLC;

•	Date last modified;

•	Date rule is effective;

•	Emission type;

•	Pollutant name;

•	Process name;

•	Process type code;

RBLC ID;

•	Regulatory basis;

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•	Regulation number;

•	SIC code; and

•	NAICS or SIC code.

For each search criteria all three fields (data element, operator, and value) must be entered.
The operator you choose defines which values of the specified data element you are interested in.
In the simplest criterion, you are usually trying to match a value and will use the equals operator,
for example, "State equals TX". Not all operators work with all types of data. The available
operators are:

•	Equals;

•	Contains (word search);

•	Greater than;

•	Less than;

•	Greater than or equal to; and

•	Less than or equal to.

The "equals" operator and the inequality operators (>, <, >=, <=) can be used with all data
elements. The "contains" operator cannot be used with date or numeric data elements.

At this point, the user can click the "Run search now" button to run the search using only one
set of search criteria, or a second set of search criteria can be added by choosing one of the
following logical connectors:

•	AND finds records that match both of the search criteria.

•	OR finds records that match either one of the search criteria.

If a connector is selected, the second criteria set must be specified by choosing data
elements from the second criteria set pick-lists, and entering a desired value, as described above.
Be careful not to specify mutually exclusive criteria. For example, specifying "Pollutant equals CO
AND CAS number equals 10102-44-0 (the CAS number for NO2)" will not find any matching
records.

At this point, the user can click the "Run search now" button to run the search using two sets
of search criteria, or a third set of search criteria can be added by choosing data elements from the
third criteria pick-list, and entering a desired value. The same logical connector selected above
applies to the third set of search criteria.

Click the "Run search now" button to run the search. The "Reset form" button can be used
to start over with a blank search form. Search results are displayed in a table, which is discussed in
Section 3.3.

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3.3 SEARCH RESULTS

The results for all of the RBLC search options are displayed as a table with links to
additional information (Figure 3-3). Each row in the table represents a regulation. The table
displays the RBLC ID, CFR citation, regulation name, process code, and process description. The
"Sort By" buttons at the top of the table can be used to sort by the RBLC ID, CFR citation, or
regulation name/industry sector. When a standard or advanced search has been run, the search
criteria used for the search appear towards the top of the page. Results can be viewed on-line or
saved in any of the RBLC standard output formats, which are discussed in Section 3.3.2 below.

3.3.1 Navigating the Search Results

The RBLC Web regulation, process and pollutant data pages have navigation buttons near
the top of the page to assist in moving through the Web site, search results and data screens.
Buttons are provided for the following: RBLC Home; New Search; Search Results; Regulation
Information; Process List; Process Information; and Pollutant Information. (Note: the Process
Information button only appears when a particular process has been selected from the Process List
page. Similarly, the Pollutant Information button only appears when a pollutant has been selected
from the Process Information page.) Use these navigation buttons when they are available rather
than the Web browser's navigation buttons to avoid potential errors that can result from the way that
browsers cache information. If a search returns a result of "No matching regulations found," click
the back button to return to the search page to re-specify the search criteria. Check to make sure
that a misspelled word or an invalid value for a search element is not the problem. If you do not find
the regulation you expected, use the navigation button "New Search" to specify new search criteria.

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Figure 3-3: Results Table for Regulation Data Base

3.3.2 Viewing Search Results

Information about each of the regulations in the RBLC Web is organized by regulation,
process, and pollutant. The RBLC ID in the search results table links to details for each regulation.
Each process listed in the search results table links to details about that regulated process.
Successively deeper levels of information are viewed by clicking on the navigation buttons near the
top of each detail page. Links to pollutant information are provided on the process details page.
Use the "Search Results" button near the top of the page to return to the search results table and pick
another rule or process to view.

Use the "Regulation Information" button to view detailed information about the regulation
itself (Figure 3-4). Use the "Process List" button to return to the process list. Refer to Section 3.1
for more information on regulation, process and pollutant data elements.

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Figure 3-4: Regulation Details Page

The process details page presents specifics about the process (see Figure 3-5). Use
"Process List" button to go to the process list to select processes for viewing.

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Figure 3-5: Process Details Page

The pollutants for a process are displayed on the process details page. Each pollutant name
in the list is a link to a pollutant detail page that displays additional information about that pollutant
(see Figure 3-6).

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'3 RBLC Regulation Pollutant Details - Microsoft Internet Explorer

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Click on the Process Information button to see more information about the process associated with this pollutant.
Or click on the Process List button to return to the list of processes.

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Regulation Information

Process List

Process Information

Pollutant Information



Pollutant Details

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Regulation Name/Industry Sector: KRAFT PULP MILLS
RBLC ID: RUS-0013

Process Name/Description: DIGESTER, ETC. *

Pollutant Name: TRS

CAS No. :

Emission Limits:

Emission Limit 1: 5 PPM @ 10% 02

Basis: NSPS

Emission Limit 2: 0

% Efficiency: 0
Emission Type: P
Demonstrated Technology for Standard:

COMBUSTION IN RECOVERY FURNACE

Cost Data:

Year Used in Cost Estimates: 1975
Capital Cost of Control Equip (1000): $176
Annualized Cost (1000): $40
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Figure 3-6: Pollutant Details Page
3.3.3 Generating Data Base Reports

There are four pre-defined report formats available for the RBLC Regulation data base
searches. These reports can be viewed on-line or downloaded to a PC. The report formats are listed
in a pick list at the bottom of the results page (see Figure 3-7). Choose a report format from the list,
and click the create button to generate the report. Formatting a report may take some time,
especially for a large number of regulations. All reports are created as ASCII text.

Formatting time for reports can be reduced by selecting specific facilities using the check
box in the first column next to each Regulation ID in the results table. Initially all regulation
records are checked and will be included in the detail reports. Use the check box next to a
regulation to de-select the record. Also, you may click the "Check" or "Uncheck" all regulations
buttons to select or de-select all records.

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Figure 3-7: Report Format Options

The following report formats are available:

•	Comprehensive Report (as Sorted in Results Table): This option includes most
of the information in the regulation data base. Because it includes details about all
processes and pollutants for selected affected facilities, this is a very lengthy report.

•	Freeform Reports (as Sorted in Results Table): There are two options for this
report. The "customizable fields" selection allows the user to select the fields to
display in the report. The other freeform report option displays literally all
information in the regulation data base for the selected regulation. Each data field
displays as one line in the report. Depending on the fields selected and the number
of regulations in the search results table, this may be a very lengthy report.

•	Export/Import Report (as Sorted in Results Table): This report saves selected
data fields in a quoted, comma-delimited format that is suitable for importing into
desktop data bases or spreadsheets.

If you did not uncheck any of the records on the results page, all records displayed in the
results table will be included in the report. If you did uncheck records, only the checked records are
included in the report.

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When the RBLC Web has finished creating the report, either a Save dialog box or the
report itself will be displayed. The exact action depends upon the browser configuration. If the
report appears on the browser, choose the "Save As" command from the browser File menu to save
the report file. Then, use the back button to return to the results table. Netscape® users must
specify a ".txt" file extension when saving a report. The default extension is ".cfm" which could
cause problems when the file is re-opened. When using other browsers, using a ".txt" file extension
is also recommended if the file will be used with word processing or spreadsheet software.

The report can also be printed directly from the RBLC Web using the browser print function.

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